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THE FOCUS |
centerforatheism.org |
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October 19, 2007 Volume 3, Issue
43 Editor: Kenneth Bronstein
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As for atheism, Sam Harris argues that it should be taught as a mere extension of
science and logic. "Atheism is not a philosophy. ...
Scalia then went so far as to suggest that the reason Hitler was able to initiate the
Holocaust was because of German separation of church and state. ...
While it has a message or atheists (step up and seriously debate Christians in an
open-minded and intellectual way) the book's primary message is for ...
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News
Articles Proud
atheists - Salon -
USA BOOKS, FILM, TV, YOU TUBE A Person Could Develop
Occult - New York Times A Writer’s Search for
the Sex in Abstinence - New York Times
For his new novel, Tom Perrotta explored the evangelical emphasis on chastity for young people. Prometheus
Books - The
New Encyclopedia of Unbelief
EVOLUTION, CREATIONISM, I.D. A
Gene Divided Reveals The Details Of Natural
Selection - Science
Daily The Evolution of
Bullying -
LiveScience.com Most complete new giant dinosaur found in Patagonia | Top News ... Reuters
SCIENCE Genes found that slow
both aging and cancer | Top News | Reuters.com
SEPARATION CHURCH / STATE
ACLU Applauds Removal of
Unconstitutional "Creation Science ... - ACLU
Creationism/evolution in
Discover - National
Center for Science Education Akron Council stops
prayer practice - Akron Leader
Publications Atheist Family Sues School Over Popular Program - cbs4denver.com The Freedom from Religion Foundation and an atheist family claim the program, called 40 Developmental Assets, encourages religion over non-religion. ... Separation of church, state and bankroll - Howard University The District Chronicles the Pledge of Allegiance, has asked the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals to declare "In god We Trust" an unconstitutional mingling of church and state. ... MISCELLANEOUS |
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The Knights Templar, the medieval Christian military
order accused of heresy
and sexual misconduct, will soon be partly rehabilitated when the Vatican publishes
trial documents it had closely guarded for 700
years. |
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Suggesting
people believe what they hear through the grapevine even if they
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Response by
Ex-NYC Mayor Koch to letter sent by Edith Amster (NYC Atheists
member) I believe that Christians
have a right to believe that when the Messiah -- who they
designate Jesus to be -- appears that everyone will become Christian. I have as a Jew a different point of view. I tell Jews such as yourself who worry about this issue, not to be concerned. I say if it is reported there is a Messiah in the land, seek him out, and ask him, first, "Are you Jewish?" Then ask, "Is this your first or second visit?" If He responds that it is His first, then Christians should consider converting to Judaism. If He responds that it is His second visit, then Jews should consider converting to Christianity. All the best.
Ed Koch
Naked chocolate Jesus rises again - MSNBC Wire
Services - MSNBC.com
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CONVENTIONS /
MEETINGS
CFI NYC - The Secular Society and its Enemies - Nov. 9 - 11, 2007 - New York City |
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CFA Program
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Special Notices
There are no special notices this week. |
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Legislation
Alerts
The Institute for Humanist Studies (IHS) needs your voice to prevent the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) from becoming New York State law. We need you to send letters to your New York representatives urging them to reject this proposed law, which threatens our rights as New Yorkers. RFRA legislation has been introduced in both the Assembly (A9098) and the Senate (S6464) and has the support of Gov. Eliot Spitzer. Click here for a sample letter to send your representatives: http://humaniststudies.org/policy/rfraletter_102007.html What is RFRA? RFRA claims to protect religious freedoms by allowing people to practice their faith without undue government interference. RFRA was passed in congress in 1993 and was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1997. The Court ruled that RFRA cannot be a federal law. Since that ruling, almost a dozen states have passed their own RFRA. New York may be the next state to pass RFRA. The Danger of RFRA
RFRA is problematic in that it not only pits the religious against the nonreligious, but religion against religion. Those organized religions that have wide appeal or have already been embraced by the mainstream are likely to be seen as having a more justified claim to protecting their religious practices than those religions that are seen as taboo, misunderstood and less popular. As U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stevens pointed out, in the 1997 ruling, RFRA is a "law respecting an establishment of religion" that violates the First Amendment to the Constitution -- not protects it. New York Doesn't Need RFRA RFRA is unnecessary because it is redundant on both the federal level and state level. Our right to religious freedom is already protected in the Bill of Rights and the New York State Constitution. So why is RFRA allegedly important? Advocates will want you to believe that your right to religious freedom is insecure. But on what grounds do they make this claim? To date, cases in New York State have been dealt with fairly and efficiently. So what is the real motivation behind RFRA? The Motivation Behind RFRA Perhaps one possible motivation is ensuring that certain organized religions gain access to goods, resources and services that are not available to the average citizen and definitely not available to those who do not endorse any particular religion. RFRA essentially establishes special rights for religious believers that are not available to other Americans. In this way, it is discriminatory and unfair. RFRA is unjust because it is the government's duty not to interfere with religious practices or to give preference to any specific religion over the lack of religion. In spite of its language that advocates tolerance and freedom, RFRA actually encourages discrimination against those who do not believe in organized religion. In theses ways, RFRA is flawed. Sure, protecting religious freedom sounds good, but at what cost? Opposition to this legislation is crucial in order to truly protect every single person's rights, fairly and equally. Speak out now! What Can You Do? *If you live in New York State, please support our issues by getting involved in the legislative process. Please call and send the letter below to your local representatives and to both: Senate Majority Leader BrunoEmail: www.senatorbruno.com/send_email.asp Mail: Senator Joe Bruno, Senate Majority Leader Albany Office, Room 909 Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 Phone: (518) 455-3191 Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver Email:speaker@assembly.state.ny.us Mail: Assembly Speaker Silver Albany Office, Room 932, Legislative Office Building Albany, NY 12248 Phone: (212) 312 -1420 To look up your representatives: Assembly: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem Senate: http://www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm Below is a sample letter you can send to your representative: Subject: Oppose A9098/S6464 for Discrimination Dear [Your Representative's Name], I urge you not to pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (A9098/S6464) in New York State. This legislation, if signed into law, could establish special rights for certain religious believers that are not available to other New Yorkers. Although this legislation theoretically claims to protect religious freedom, it actually encourages discrimination against minority religions and the roughly 2 million New Yorkers who do not endorse organized religion at all. It will put neutral laws under scrutiny and could permit goods, services, resources and privileges to be allocated unjustly to those who endorse religion. In addition, RFRA is unnecessary. At both the federal and state level our religious freedom is already securely protected. Existing law already prevents legislation from placing an undue burden on religion or overly interfering with religious practices. I believe RFRA's scope is too far-reaching and may actually violate the First Amendment to the Constitution. Because it is redundant, unjust and discriminatory, especially in the practical application versus the theoretical language used, we ask you to make sure RFRA does not become state law. For additional information about why RFRA (A9098/S6464) is dangerous to New Yorkers, please contact the Institute for Humanist Studies in Albany, N.Y. at 518-432-7820, www.HumanistStudies.org. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, The Institute for Humanist Studies is dedicated to educating the public about humanist beliefs, organizations, and resources. Specific questions about Public Policy or New York legislation can be addressed to Jennifer Lange, IHS Legislative Liason. [http://humaniststudies.org/contact.html?recipient=4] |
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